Even if you don’t think about it most of the time, your sump pump is critical to the normality of your house. Your sump pump is one of your home’s final lines of defense against water damage. As a result, your sump pump must always function properly. And this will need upkeep.
Most pump manufacturers recommend yearly maintenance, while some may prescribe more. The condition of your sump pump pit will also determine this. Dirtier and less well-kept cavities may need repair more often than clean sump pump pits.
Whether you want to conduct the maintenance yourself or hire a professional, such as our trained experts at Elizabeth Plumbing and Drain Service, you should understand how to clean a sump pump and why it is done.
Electricity
The initial step will be to assure your safety or the safety of the professional. You will need to unhook the sump pump’s power line. Alternatively, if it is hard-wired, you must switch off the breaker connected to the pump. It would help if you never attempted to maintain, clean, or repair electrical apparatus while the power is still on.
Turn the water off
You’ll be cleaning your sump pump, so make sure that if any drains are flowing into the pump pit, the water is turned off to them, or it’s understood that no one should use them. You want to avoid being halfway through cleaning sump pump pit units when a washing machine-sized amount of water spills on you.
Disconnect your pump
Your pump will be connected to a discharge tube that will most likely lead outdoors. First, disconnect this wire to remove the pump from the sump pump pit.
Wrap the pump
Take your pump outside for a friendly sump pump cleaning. The pump will very certainly have to be dragged through your house. Wrap it in plastic, a trash bag, or even towels to keep it from dripping when transporting it outside.
Clean the pump
The pump must be cleaned. Spray it well with a garden hose. Be sure to include all of the sides and apertures. You’ll want to eliminate as much garbage as possible, but some may be resistant, so put down the scrub brush.
Depending on the condition of your sump pump pit, you may need to use a scrub brush to remove the hardened sludge and debris from the pump. A 50/50 solution of water and vinegar works well for sump pump cleaning.
Rinse the pump
Spray your sump pump once more with your yard hose. After you scrape away the remaining gunk, it must be properly sprayed before putting it in the pit to eliminate any leftover particles. That’s how to clean a sump pump, but you still have work to do.
Drain the check valve.
You may need to catch the water in a bucket depending on where your check valve is located. But, you will need to drain the water from the check valve, which may be a large amount depending on how long your drain is. A check valve is a kind of valve that only allows water to go one way. As a result, water may be pumped out of the gutter but cannot return to your sump pump pit. If your check valve falls apart, you may unscrew and clean it to verify it is clean and operating correctly.
Wet/dry vac the water
You’ll need to suction the water out of your sump pump pit. Depending on the terrible spills, you may need to use the shop vac to clean up any water messes.
Clean and inspect the pit
The sump pump pit has cleared the water, enabling you to conduct a thorough visual check. Check for significant damage, that nothing is in the hole that might harm your sump pump, and that it is not full of dirt that your pump could suck up. Then, spray it with disinfectant to ensure it is clean and ready to reinstall.
Could you put it back together and test it?
You may now begin reassembling everything. You may put your sump pump back into the pit. You may rejoin the discharge hose, reinstall any grates or coverings on top of the hole, and plug it back in.
Fill a bucket with water and steadily fill the sump pump pit until the float switch activates and the pump removes the water. When it happens, you know the work has been performed successfully! You now understand how to clean a sump pump and its components.
How often should my sump pump be cleaned?
This is determined by how often it runs and its general condition. Sump pumps in seldom-used basements might be cleaned once or twice a year. Pumps that are dirtier or more active should be cleaned every three months. You may read this article to learn how frequently your sump pump should operate.
Monthly: Check for any obstructions surrounding the pump and verify correct functioning.
Three months: If required, clean the pump, examine for any clogging reasons, and ensure appropriate functioning.
One year: Clean the pump, examine for excessive corrosion and damage, and consult the owner’s handbook for lubrication instructions if required.
Can I use a sump pump cleaner?
Vinegar and water combined in a 50/50 ratio is the finest cleanser for a sump pump. It is non-toxic and safe, but it cleans incredibly effectively.
You may use bleach if you have excessive odors in or around your pump and sump pump pit. If you have an old cast iron pump, avoid using bleach, but a tiny quantity of bleach will not harm newer pumps to clean the system.
What should I look for while doing maintenance?
Most pump manufacturers recommend yearly maintenance, while some may prescribe more. The condition of your sump pump pit will also determine this. Dirtier and less well-kept cavities may need repair more often than clean sump pump pits.
Whether you want to conduct the maintenance yourself or hire a professional, such as our trained experts at Elizabeth Plumbing and Drain Service, you should understand how to clean a sump pump and why it is done.
Electricity
The initial step will be to assure your safety or the safety of the professional. You will need to unhook the sump pump’s power line. Alternatively, if it is hard-wired, you must switch off the breaker connected to the pump. It would help if you never attempted to maintain, clean, or repair electrical apparatus while the power is still on.
Turn the water off
You’ll be cleaning your sump pump, so make sure that if any drains are flowing into the pump pit, the water is turned off to them, or it’s understood that no one should use them. You want to avoid being halfway through cleaning sump pump pit units when a washing machine-sized amount of water spills on you.
Disconnect your pump
Your pump will be connected to a discharge tube that will most likely lead outdoors. First, disconnect this wire to remove the pump from the sump pump pit.
Wrap the pump
Take your pump outside for a friendly sump pump cleaning. The pump will very certainly have to be dragged through your house. Wrap it in plastic, a trash bag, or even towels to keep it from dripping when transporting it outside.
Clean the pump
The pump must be cleaned. Spray it well with a garden hose. Be sure to include all of the sides and apertures. You’ll want to eliminate as much garbage as possible, but some may be resistant, so put down the scrub brush.
Depending on the condition of your sump pump pit, you may need to use a scrub brush to remove the hardened sludge and debris from the pump. A 50/50 solution of water and vinegar works well for sump pump cleaning.
Rinse the pump
Spray your sump pump once more with your yard hose. After you scrape away the remaining gunk, it must be properly sprayed before putting it in the pit to eliminate any leftover particles. That’s how to clean a sump pump, but you still have work to do.
Drain the check valve.
You may need to catch the water in a bucket depending on where your check valve is located. But, you will need to drain the water from the check valve, which may be a large amount depending on how long your drain is. A check valve is a kind of valve that only allows water to go one way. As a result, water may be pumped out of the gutter but cannot return to your sump pump pit. If your check valve falls apart, you may unscrew and clean it to verify it is clean and operating correctly.
Wet/dry vac the water
You’ll need to suction the water out of your sump pump pit. Depending on the terrible spills, you may need to use the shop vac to clean up any water messes.
Clean and inspect the pit
The sump pump pit has cleared the water, enabling you to conduct a thorough visual check. Check for significant damage, that nothing is in the hole that might harm your sump pump, and that it is not full of dirt that your pump could suck up. Then, spray it with disinfectant to ensure it is clean and ready to reinstall.
Could you put it back together and test it?
You may now begin reassembling everything. You may put your sump pump back into the pit. You may rejoin the discharge hose, reinstall any grates or coverings on top of the hole, and plug it back in.
Fill a bucket with water and steadily fill the sump pump pit until the float switch activates and the pump removes the water. When it happens, you know the work has been performed successfully! You now understand how to clean a sump pump and its components.
How often should my sump pump be cleaned?
This is determined by how often it runs and its general condition. Sump pumps in seldom-used basements might be cleaned once or twice a year. Pumps that are dirtier or more active should be cleaned every three months. You may read this article to learn how frequently your sump pump should operate.
Monthly: Check for any obstructions surrounding the pump and verify correct functioning.
Three months: If required, clean the pump, examine for any clogging reasons, and ensure appropriate functioning.
One year: Clean the pump, examine for excessive corrosion and damage, and consult the owner’s handbook for lubrication instructions if required.
Can I use a sump pump cleaner?
Vinegar and water combined in a 50/50 ratio is the finest cleanser for a sump pump. It is non-toxic and safe, but it cleans incredibly effectively.
You may use bleach if you have excessive odors in or around your pump and sump pump pit. If you have an old cast iron pump, avoid using bleach, but a tiny quantity of bleach will not harm newer pumps to clean the system.
What should I look for while doing maintenance?
- The plugin or GFCI is working correctly and is not tripped or damaged.
- The power wire to the pump is undamaged.
- Ascertain that the pump is in the center of the pit and that the float may freely move.
- While testing the pump’s functions, use at least five liters of water.
- To eradicate germs and odors, use vinegar or bleach.
- Check your pump to ensure it is working correctly.
Check that your pump is working correctly and that there are no visible indications of damage.
Check that all electrical connections seem to be working correctly and that the check valve is not leaking. Maintaining your pump is vital to safeguarding your property from moisture concerns and is a reasonably simple chore.
If you ever feel that this is above your abilities, or if you want a professional to examine it to ensure correct functioning, please get in touch with us. If you want to learn more about sump pumps, read this article.
If you want expert help, call Elizabeth Plumbing and Drain Service!
